James Belich’s 1986 book, The New Zealand Wars and the Victorian interpretation of racial conflict, was a radical new look at the New Zealand Wars. Belich argued that Māori were fine strategists who came very close to winning several campaigns. Subsequently his research was presented in a television series, The New Zealand Wars. In the first episode, Belich argued that the battle of Ruapekapeka was not a glorious victory for the British, but a strategic defeat – and that the peace that followed the Northern War gave Ngāpuhi leader Heke Hōne Pōkai and his followers much of what they had fought for.
Using this item
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Add new comment